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The diesel locomotive turns 100

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Posted by timz on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 6:16 PM

Note the locomotive has no transmission, except for the side rods. The diesel can't run when the locomotive is stationary-- as I recall it used compressed air to get itself moving.

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Posted by Ulrich on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 5:24 PM

Thanks...going to see if I can get the Scientific American at the local newsstand.

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Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:47 PM

Lots of contemporary coverage of this (it was indeed sold to the Prussian system, which apparently ran it in Berlin-Magdeburg service).  See:

Engineering Magazine v.45 (September 5, 1913) p.317-321 and editorial on p.326

Scientific American September 20, 1913

Engineering News October 2, 1913

I believe there are pictures in these.

And, lest we forget (I almost did!) in the Scientific American supplement for September 20, 1913 (p.180) is the Tasmanian eight-cylinder express Garratt...

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Posted by Ulrich on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:40 PM

Would be interesting to see it run. I've read that it was built and ran for a time pulling passenger trains over short distances in Europe. No photos of it  anywhere that I can find. Unfortunately R Diesel also died in 1913 (some say suicide),  and he never knew how important his contribution to railroads would eventually become.

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:08 PM

It's kind of amazing how quickly things became standardized.  I routinely run a 63YO locomotive that (with a little orientation - that "6" brake will getcha) is little different, control-wise from what's rolling on the rails today.

It would be interesting to see that prototype in person (if only it still existed).

LarryWhistling
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The diesel locomotive turns 100
Posted by Ulrich on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 1:03 PM

 

I found this article on the web. There's a drawing of it, but I  haven't been able to locate a photo of the prototype.

 

 http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/30th-january-1913/18/an-85-ton-diesel-locomotive

 

 

 

  

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